entrancelogs | To tell the truth I saw it coming// It was in the way you were breathing;

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To tell the truth I saw it coming// It was in the way you were breathing;

Who: Angeal Hewley (As Angeal Penance) and Genesis Rhapsodos

Where:The Gardens, under an apple tree

When: Sunset, July Second

Rating:PG 13 for potentially triggering material, (mentions of attempted suicide and death, descriptions of Injury.)

Summary: 「Thy revenge has scarred my soul. Agonizing for its end my wish becomes my relief---and your peaceful slumber.」 - LOVELESS Act 4

The Story:

Monster.

Each step sets the word further into his brain, as clawed feet dig into the ground, unsteady steps taken one at a time. One after the other, again and again. Angeal only has one question for himself, one that his human mind is forced to realize over the dull roar of the monsters he had taken inside of him.

Why am I here?

This place is quiet, serene... It wasn't the abandoned baths of Modeoheim, dark and industrial, but something the human mind in the monster recognized as a garden, and one well cared for. But it was quiet, so quiet. No animal life, no voices, anything that would make this place something real. It only seemed to be him and the garden, like the garden he had once so loved tried to recreate in his home before the madness had struck.

Angeal’s body, twisted and morphed into Angeal Penance was starting to show the wear of a long battle, of all the damage it had taken. His wing drooped low and tails hung limply, and each step became harder to take, heavier to make he drops the trident in hand, and front legs give out and buckle underneath.

Maybe this is his little bit of Lifestream; What he gets before becoming one with the planet. Perhaps he was dead already. That thought is more calming than any of the others, and the beast heaves a great sigh and lets the rest of its body collapse onto the ground below, taking shelter for its’ last moments underneath the shade of an apple tree. Consciousness is not lost, not yet; but at the same time, he had accepted the fact that this would be his final resting place.

Eyes already closed, the great beast falls still- still enough to recognize the feel of another leaning against his body. Senses open, reaching out-

And yes, this must indeed be where he was meant to rest, if the Lifestream was going to allow him to see Genesis once more, the man sleeping against the battered form of the monster his friend had become. Allow him to see Genesis, and allow him to go with the other man to the end of their fate. Angeal can feel the contentedness spreading through his body, glad for one last reunion- Seeing his friend healed now, even if he still was in this form- and he can let go.

Some minutes later, fingers press against that gray body and a device clatters to the ground. Genesis is awake and aghast at the sight before him. There is a moment of calm reciting from LOVELESS in an effort to help him keep his cool, but it doesn’t stop the emotion that pours from his voice in the words that follow.

“… what have I done to you, my friend? Is this punishment for my sins now? To behold you this way...?

The fates are truly cruel. Yet I am certain I deserve this for what I had done.”

With those words, Genesis lays his head on what seemed to be Angeal’s human shoulder. And this is where others will find them: in this sad embrace between friends underneath an apple tree.

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He runs.

As hard and fast as he can go (he might actually look like a blur to passers-by), Zack races down the steps of the mansion to the spot he thinks Genesis and Angeal must be. He should be more cautious maybe -- Genesis was an enemy up until the very last -- but he can't even think about that right now.

His friend, his mentor is lying somewhere with wounds he inflicted, and he has to find him now.

It doesn't take long; he's wanted the gardens before with Aerith, so he at least somewhat knows he way around the place. All but skidding to a halt when he finds them, he feels a pang in his heart as he views the scene. It's déjà vu, and if only Angeal were in his human form, it would look all the more like the moment in Banora -- two friends propped against each other after a painful separation.

He kneels beside them both and rests a hand on Angeal's side -- still alive.

His face crumples a little, and he looks at the redhead.

"Genesis..."

He doesn't think the other man is dead, and honestly, he sincerely hopes he isn't.

Edited 2013-07-01 14:50 (UTC)

For a long while, Genesis is still, silently hoping that his friend could wake up, even in this monstrous form he took. Yet at the same time, he also wished that the Goddess didn't inflicts upon him such a burden. Holding Angeal close felt like carrying a lead weight. But at the same time, there was a sense of comfort knowing that at least he wasn't alone... at least he was here with his closest friend.

But that alone won't shake the guilt away from him.

His trail of thought is broken, though, when he feels a shadow cast upon him which tells him that there was someone close to them. Slowly, he raises his head to see who came to fetch them and immediately, he looks back down upon his friend.

With everything he had done, Genesis didn't deserve to remain close to those he loved. No. Not when he had led them all to their destruction. He didn't deserve any of this.

Silently, he moves to let go of Angeal. He was still weak on his feet, so he simply backs away to prop himself up against the apple tree. Weary, mako-bright blue eyes set upon Zack give him a silent plea to let him be. And he punctuates this with a quiet request.

"Take care of Angeal."

He watches Genesis move away, and for a moment, part of him wants to protest. Whatever crimes the other man was responsible for, Angeal was still his friend, and though he's sure Genesis feels guilt for what he's done, separating himself from Angeal isn't going to make things better.

Except, he can't make the other man see that. He can't make him stay or accept the help he wants to give so he's just going to have to do what he can, for now, and deal with things as they come.

He takes a breath and nods, turning his attention back to Angeal. Blinking back tears, he presses both hands against the creature's the side.

"Angeal..."

Come back to me.

Edited 2013-07-01 22:51 (UTC)

In the meantime, Genesis attempts to move away. The communicator suddenly sounds off: Cloud speaking. His eyes dart over to Zack for a short moment as he pulls himself up on his feet slowly, waiting for a moment to steady himself before picking up the device.

Angeal's student is free to warn him or tell him anything before he answers that familiar voice and visage.

With each quiet moment, Angeal can feel the monsters slowly start to fade from the collective consciousness, leaving him with the quiet peace he has been craving for in the wake of his friend's death. It was selfish, yes, but is he not allowed one selfish thing? The want to just let go? After all, there were no reasons for his means if the end was dead.

But he has this, soft words from Genesis that do not quite register, touch he remembers of his comrade. But when the other pulls away and another voice comes into play, Angeal Penance starts to stir.

'Is it not over?'

He wants it to be, needs it so bad. The pain is nothing more then the dull beat of his heart anymore, throbbing in time and the monster's panting breathes matched to it.

Someone else. Someone who should not be here...

Penance stirs, but the growl it gives Zack is one not welcoming. Telling him to strike, to give the final blow so that the last of Angeal's lessons can be passed on.

He recognizes that sound, what it means. It knocks the wind out of him, the very idea that he would have to do this a second time.

Zack shakes his head and leaves his hands where they are.

"No, Angeal." His voice doesn't shake, though by all rights it should. "I'm not going to do this when there's no Lifestream to take you."

He takes a breath.

"Not again."

How could Zack not accept this, leave Angeal to his fate? Even though the other has his hands on him, the beast attempts to get to its feet. But the pain is too much, control over the body not really his little as the voices continued to fade, chimera coming apart from the inside.

Not again, he says. Not again. But is this not just the end, weren't they in the lifestream now?

Thinks were not starting to make sense.

Penance growls again, weakly, and the movement of wing and tails is also weak but quick, attempting to push Zack away, move and perhaps displacing Genesis from their spot underneath the apple tree as well.

He doesn't budge.

Holding fast to his friend, Zack looks to the head -- the face distorted by the creatures Angeal has absorbed, and maneuvers himself just enough so the other can't avoid his gaze.

"Angeal, listen. This isn't the Lifestream, and this isn't Gaia. If I kill you now, this place will just bring you back."

He shakes the beast a little, trying to get through.

"Please, Angeal."

The plea catches though his mind, and Angeal is more and more ware of his surroundings. What was this place? Where had Genesis gone? Had he simply imagined the other SOLDIER there?

Was this truly not the Lifestream?

The other voices are gone, and Zack is touching him, shaking him and demanding his attention. Angeal's form, the most human part of the beast had remained with eyes closed and arms folded during their fight, not wanting to look or see what it was doing, but now, he has no choice.

Even as it attempts to push Zack away, his eyes open, arms unfolding and reaching for Zack with a weak grip, coming to rest on elbows and when the man does make that touch, does look at Zack and see the pain on his Student's face, he is suddenly no longer sure if he i doing the right thing.

It shows in his pause, in the weak noise Penance makes before leaning heavily against the man.

The knot in his throat tightens when Angeal finally looks at him. It's been years now for him, but seeing his mentor like this yet again pains him just as much as it did then. The man thought himself a monster, but Zack knows the things that make a person a monster aren't just skin deep. Hojo and Hollander, the ruling powers of ShinRa -- those were the monsters.

Angeal was a man -- imperfect and flawed, maybe, but even in this form, Zack still doesn't see the monster his teacher insisted he was.

Holding on still, he doesn't shy away when Angeal reaches for him, straining just a little when the beast leans against him. He lowers the other slowly, as best he can, but still, he keeps talking.

"Angeal, I promise you. I wouldn't leave you like this if I thought I'd be sending you home."

Kneeling now, he brushes his hand through the creature's hair, tears starting to fall.

"Please."

Zack's words, the fact Angeal had been forced to wake up, face the reality of the situation seem to be the main factors in the other man accepting all of this; The reason the body of the large monster seems to slowly break apart, disappear and return to the state of the original monsters that had created it. None of them move, already finished off, and yet...

And yet Angeal's hair is still dark in the wake of battle, breath heavy as he tries to draw it, in pain but alive. The Buster is laid against the ground beside him, as it had been that time before, when he had passed it on to his now no-longer student, told him to never forget his Pride and Honor.

He had intended to do those things again- now, here. But Angeal knows that somehow he is not dying, and that this place and the man in front of him have much to do with it.

"Zack..."

He lifts his hands away, finally, as the transformation takes place. He's seen it once before, but relief wells up inside him when he sees his friend whole, without signs of degradation.

His cheeks stained with tears, Zack smiles and clasps Angeal's hands with his, holding them tight.

"Angeal."

Thank you.

There is much Angeal has felt guilt over- over decisions made during the war, over leaving ShinRa in order to chase his closest friend... In not being able to save him. But in this very moment, Angeal knows that no matter what, no matter how much pain he was in, or how close he felt to passing out right now, he would never forget the moment he brought tears to Zack Fair's face.

He knows this, and knows he will carry it with him always.

"Zack..." said once more, and the man shifts, moving to lean his back against the apple tree. Briefly his thoughts move back to the thought of Genesis, once more wondering if the man had been a mirage or not, before he takes advantage of Zack's hands in his and pulls the other close, resting his forehead against the man's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Zack." For doing this to him, for everything he had put the other through. He has other questions burning in his mind about what this place was, what he was doing here, but that one thing was most important.

Zack swallows thickly, the knot in his throat tightening when Angeal draws him close. It's a moment they never had, and though he remembers clearly the moment that he clasped his mentor's hand and joined the Lifestream, it's not the same as this.

Blinking back tears, Zack wraps him arms around Angeal's shoulders and hugs him. He doesn't squeeze hard, mindful of the other's injuries, but the sentiment is no less strong.

"I know."

Soft, accepting. He's had time to understand how and why Angeal did what he did. Forgiveness was never something he thought to withhold.

Leaning back, he smiles again and wipes his face.

"Let's get you fixed up."

Though Zack could forgive him easily, smile and reach out to him and hold himself together, Angeal knew that he would not forgive himself as easily. But for Zack's sake now, he will do his best to comply- to try and understand what was going on, find out what had happened and once that is finished, begin doing what he needed to in order to make it up to him.

"Alright." He moves to stand, but finds it hard to, steeling himself at the first failed attempt with tense muscles and a sharp breath. Zack had seen him at his strongest, as his mentor and as they had started first, so many ranks above him, and now here they were, in the moments after what were suppose to be the final of his own, Angeal weak but still holding on.

He smiles, something small, at the amusing irony of it all, and moves to stand again.

He remembers those early days well -- when he was still a feisty youth with more gumption than good sense. He's not so much older now, physically, but a lot of things have happened to strip him of immaturity. He's a man in his own right, and he sees things now with a certain amount of perspective.

It's sad, maybe, to see Angeal brought to this state (by his own hand, no less), but he thinks no less of him for it.

Wrapping Angeal's arm around his shoulder, Zack helps as needed, letting the other lean on him as he stands. Once they're situated, the Buster Sword picked up off the ground, Zack will walk them back to the mansion.

Edited 2013-07-03 13:21 (UTC)

He tries not to lean so much on the other, but knowing Zack was there as needed, as some of his weight on the other helping the man make to the door is easier. Enough so that he can start asking at least a few basic questions.

"So, want to give me the short version?" If there was no lifestream here, that can only lead to one obvious, but hard to believe conclusion. Angeal has a feeling that things here were going to be quite interesting indeed.

He doesn't mind bearing (at least partially) the other's weight. Angeal is at least conscious and aware, which is more than Cloud was when he pulled him out of the tank in Nibelheim.

The short version. He blows a small, amused breath out of his nose. Is there really such a thing, he wonders.

"The short version is we've been pulled into a fairy tale world called Wonderland. It takes people from different times and places; no one's really sure how. The mansion up ahead is nice, but there's another world on the other side of the mirrors -- doubles of us supposedly live on that side, but they're our opposites in every way. Events happen every two weeks or so; some are harmless, some aren't. It's a mixed bag."

He shifts a little and peers up ahead. Thankfully, it's not that far.

"...Alright. I'll get the proper version from you later." Because well, that didn't really make much sense to him now, winded as he is. Maybe a little later he will be able to understand it better.

The small humor is an attempt to get Zack to relax after making him worry so much, as they approach the entrance of the castle, even as the other helps him closer. He can not help the thoughts that swirl worriedly in his head though- if this was such a different place, why was Zack here in the first place?

Who else had made it?

Fortunately Cloud proved to be quite the distraction. After his conversation with Genesis that had - let's face it - not ended well and Sephiroth giving him an order - which, surprisingly, had gone well, Cloud wanted to get to Zack and Angeal as fast as possible. Thus he had set out at a run.

The moment he saw the two men in the distance, he sped up and skidded to a halt in front of them, face flushed and eyes wide.

"H-Here!" he held out the Healing Materia, the orb resting in the palm of his gloved hand, "I...spoke to Genesis...and Sephiroth..." he tried to breathe, but there was a sharp pain in his side, "Wanted...to check...on you."

Edited 2013-07-06 03:29 (UTC)

The attempt at humor does its work. He smiles a bit despite himself; it does sound pretty ridiculous, honestly.

"It's a lot to take in."

He's lucky he had Aerith here to help him with the transition.

Looking up, his eyes widen with surprise when Cloud come hurtling down to greet them. How did he know?

He's about to ask, but Cloud cuts him off with the explanation...which does beg a few questions (he talked to Sephiroth?). Brushing aside other concerns, he flashes another smile, relieved and thankful to see the Materia. He ran out of the mansion too fast to grab any of his.

"Thanks, man." He takes the small orb and watches it shine. "This should help."

A Cure spell should at the very least give Angeal a partial pick-me-up.

"Genesis..."

So he was here, it wasn't something Angeal had been dreaming. And he jolt that the other name brought.

'Sephiroth, what I did to him as well...'

Angeal has fallen pensive as his eyes move to Cloud, another shock to be had- that young Cadet he had dragged into the bath house along with Tseng, with just the bare amount of injuries enough to bait Zack with.

He has his work cut out for him here in order to make things up to those he had wronged, didn't he?

"Thank you." Angeal says to the other as Zack takes the materia, eager to use it on his mentor. And it does start to help, though the ache in his body is set deep and something not even materia can take care of. Angeal breathes a relieved sigh at the way the cure helps ease at least some of the pain, readjusting carefully with the way he leaned against Zack- Offering his hand to his student to take the second Buster Sword- his own- from him.

After all, no man should carry another's burden so.

Edited 2013-07-06 04:07 (UTC)

A small smile followed Zack's gratitude, but Cloud was a bit distracted by Angeal's wounds. What the hell had happened to him? Had he been fighting Genesis? How much did he know...?

It was up to Zack to fill him in, of course. Even so he was struck by the fact that he was currently in the presence of two First Class SOLDIERs; two heroes. Running a hand over his spiky hair, he exhaled and shifted from foot to foot.

"I can get you whatever else you need." he didn't mind running errands for these two, "Wonderland chooses to bring us here at...awkward times."

And with memories that wouldn't mesh. But that wasn't what was important. Cloud knew Zack was just happy to see Angeal alive.

The story surrounding Angeal's injuries is a complicated one, as well as what happened in Modeoheim, in general, isn't something Zack cares or thinks to share at the moment. He would rather stay silent on the matter, at least until things are a little more stable. Angeal needs to heal, and Genesis is wandering around somewhere, apparently riddled by guilt. It's going to take time to get things sorted out.

Feeling a bit of strength return to Angeal as the spell takes effect, he hands the other Buster Sword to Angeal in silence. He recognizes the meaning in that gesture, though he doesn't comment on it openly.

He gives Cloud a thoughtful look -- he doesn't really want to over-burden his friend (Angeal is kind of his responsibility until he's well again), but he did offer...

Hmm.

"...probably some wound care stuff?" Angeal might be a little better, but he's still hurting; that much Zack can tell. "Fluids, food later, maybe."

He looks at Angeal. "You can stay in my room until you're up to picking one."

It occurs to him that he could offer to take Angeal to the clinic, but he doubts the other would really want to go.

The blond's name, what was it again? It feels like so long ago already, despite possibly being only an hour or two. Even though the man looks different, the way Zack speaks to him and how Angeal remembers things, it only makes sense who it was.

"I'll be fine, Zack, Cloud." Yes, that was the right now, though is not sure if he ever heard his full one. Angeal attempts to be dismissive about too much help, though he obviously needs some- The Buster low to the ground, but never once allowed to touch, even as he lets Zack help him up the stairs. He won't shoulder it until he knows it will not be in his student's way. "Just let me... rest for a bit."

Cloud gave Zack a brief nod, ready to scrounge up whatever wound care he could find, but then Angeal said his name. He remembered his name. Despite being older than he was when he was a cadet - and wiser one would hope - the mere fact that Angeal knew him - if only by name - floored him. Suddenly, he found himself looking at his feet.

"There are plenty of places to rest." he glanced at Zack, "You're not going to make him climb all of those steps, are you? It'd be best to find a room on the first floor."

Surely someone would be kind enough? Cloud glanced back at the mansion, frowning.

"Aerith could help." he turned back to Zack, "We wouldn't need medical supplies."

And Angeal would be on his feet a lot quicker.

He opened his mouth to protest...but then, well, he realized Cloud had a point. In his current condition, there was no way Angeal could make it all the way up to the eighth floor. Unless, of course, he carried him, but he doubted his friend would appreciate that much.

"...we can use one of the empty ones. It'll shift around when we go in." He looked at Angeal. "We can brave the stairs another day."

The mention of Aerith...gave him pause. He knew Aerith would be more than happy to lend her assistance, but he wasn't sure if Angeal would be receptive to her help or not.

"We can ask her."

Setting foot in the entrance hall finally, he steered them down one of the hallways towards and empty room...and glanced at Angeal, askance. He didn't know how the other would feel about Aerith coming to tend to his injuries.

As for the room, staying on the first floor, at least for now, sounds like the best idea. He could probably brave it within the next day, but even now Angeal must admit to his own limits, even if it feels like he was causing all the more trouble for his student and his friend.

"I feel like I've bothered enough people today, I think." He smiles, unsteady but trusting Zack to have him, the other enough to let himself be guided in the direction he needs to be taken. That included Cloud as well, who did not have to of come out here for him... And yet, the man still had.

"If you want to stay with him, I'll make sure your room stays empty." it really was the least he could do, "You know she would want to help."

The way they fought and struggled for victory without a second thought was the same way Aerith healed; it was second nature to her. Besides Cloud couldn't imagine anyone not loosening up - even a little bit - in her presence. Of course, he might be biased. He did owe her a lot.

Angeal's words caused him to stop thinking about the flower-girl. His brows knitted together and he shook his head.

"You're not." at all, "Zack can tell you how bad off I was once. At least you can walk." he attempted a smile, though it still felt foreign.

Since Genesis wasn't stopped from answering Cloud, he had gone ahead and answered him as Zack was tending to his mentor. But out of the blue, Penance's wings and tail move and almost knock him over. Despite being weak, Genesis is still able to move away from those appendages.

Now that the conversation was all between mentor and student now, Genesis makes his exit towards the mansion where he hopes he could find some semblance of solitude.

Edited 2013-07-02 05:34 (UTC)

However that solitude is not to be - not just yet. Another man in red waits in the doorway of the mansion, watching Genesis approach. He saw the accidental posting and saw Zack run out from the roof, where Vincent had been lurking. He doesn't really know the whole story and only knows of Genesis and Angeal from stories and poking through old ShinRa files. But he can guess enough to figure that a little caution and watching might be useful.

So here he is, waiting for Genesis, though Vincent isn't really sure what to say to him.

Genesis had begun to quicken his pace to the mansion after speaking with Sephiroth. But he pauses upon seeing the stranger watching him. He frowns. He would much rather be left alone.

"Expecting a show of some kind?"

"... Perhaps. ... will there be?"

He rather hopes there won't be. At least... not any more than there already has been.

"No. There won't be."

Genesis' response is clipped. He's all about ready to continue on to meet Sephiroth. But he'll pause a moment to see if the stranger has any response for him.

"Hn. Good."

Vincent makes no move to stop Genesis, but as the man passes, he adds one final comment: "Be careful."

In response to that, Genesis merely huffs and enters the building where he was to encounter Sephiroth at the hall.

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To tell the truth I saw it coming// It was in the way you were breathing;

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let me know if this is not cool, and I'll delete it!

a short chat should be cool!

/o/ aww yeah short chats

Just... I'm not sure how short the chat will be. 8|

super short. xD

Horribly short |D